High pressure solids pump

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to an abrasive particles injection system. In one aspect, a high pressure solids pump for use in an abrasive particles injection system is provided. The high pressure solids pump includes a pump body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The high pressure solids pump further includes a first valve connected to the inlet for allowing abrasive particles to enter the chamber. The high pressure solids pump also includes a second valve connected to the outlet for allowing pressurized abrasive particles to exit the chamber. Additionally, the high pressure solids pump includes a piston member movable within the chamber of the pump body, wherein the piston member is configured to pressurize the abrasive particles. In another aspect, a method of injecting abrasive particles into a high pressure line is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/427,559, filed Dec. 28, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an abrasive particles injection system. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a high pressure solids pump for use in the abrasive particles injection system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the oil and gas industry, a wellbore may be formed by an abrasive jet drilling operation. During the abrasive jet drilling operation, a jetting drill device ejects a high velocity stream of drilling fluid having abrasive particles to form the wellbore. The abrasive jet drilling operation requires that abrasive particles (e.g. steel shot) be injected into the high pressure side of the drilling fluid pump. Typically, two pressure vessels (e.g. shot receivers) are connected to the drilling fluid pump to supply the abrasive particles into the drilling fluid. The pressure vessels must include high pressure valves for monitoring the pressure within the pressure vessels. The pressure vessels and associated high pressure valves represent both a large proportion of the abrasive jet drilling system cost and an area that is inherently susceptible to failures, such as sealing issues due to solids entry, or wear. Further, pressure vessels and associated high pressure valves tend to be a complex issue for fabrication with long delivery times due to material procurement in larger sizes, and associated large part fabrication and handling issues. Control components in the pressure vessels required to handle the abrasive particles are also problematic, and have their associated difficulties. Therefore, there is a need for a high pressure solids pump that can be used in place of pressure vessels in the abrasive jet drilling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an abrasive particles injection system. In one aspect, a high pressure solids pump for use in an abrasive particles injection system is provided. The high pressure solids pump includes a pump body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The high pressure solids pump further includes a first valve connected to the inlet for allowing abrasive particles to enter the chamber. The high pressure solids pump also includes a second valve connected to the outlet for allowing pressurized abrasive particles to exit the chamber. Additionally, the high pressure solids pump includes a piston member movable within the chamber of the pump body, wherein the piston member is configured to pressurize the abrasive particles.

In another aspect, a method of injecting abrasive particles into a high pressure line is provided. The method includes the step of feeding abrasive particles though an inlet valve and into a chamber of a high pressure solids pump. The method further includes the step of pressurizing the abrasive particles by moving a piston into the chamber of the high pressure solids pump. Additionally, the method includes the step of forcing pressurized abrasive particles through an outlet valve connected to the chamber and into the high pressure line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an abrasive particles injection system.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the high pressure solids pump.

FIGS. 3A-3D are views illustrating the high pressure solids pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to a high pressure solids pump that can be used in an abrasive jet drilling system. To better understand the novelty of the high pressure solids pump of the present invention and the methods of use thereof, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a high pressure solids pump 100 in an abrasive particles injection system 75. Generally, the abrasive particles injection system 75 is a portion of an abrasive jet drilling system that adds abrasive particles into a drilling fluid flowing through a high pressure line 60 from a mud pump (not shown). After the abrasive particles are injected into the drilling fluid in the high pressure line 60, the drilling fluid and abrasive particles are then sent to a standpipe for use in the abrasive drilling operation.

The abrasive particles injection system 75 includes a wet tank 10 for holding the abrasive particles, such as steel shot. The wet tank 10 is connected to the high pressure solids pump 100 via an optional pinch valve 15. The pinch valve 15 may be used to control the amount of abrasive particles exiting the wet tank 10. As shown, a first fluid flush line 20 (low pressure) may be attached between the wet tank 10 and the high pressure solids pump 100. The first fluid flush line 20 supplies fluid into the high pressure solids pump 100. The fluid may be used to move the abrasive particles into the high pressure solids pump 100 and/or clean the valves of the high pressure solids pump 100 after the abrasive particles have been injected into the high pressure line 60. The high pressure solids pump 100 may be operated by using a hydraulic drive 30, a pressurization port 25, and a piston retraction assembly 35. In one embodiment, the abrasive particles injection system 75 includes a first wet tank and a second wet tank for supplying abrasive particles to the high pressure solids pump 100. The first wet tank and the second wet tank may be synchronized such that there is a constant flow of abrasive particles into the high pressure solids pump 100. In another embodiment, the abrasive particles injection system 75 includes a first high pressure solids pump and a second high pressure solids pump for systematically injecting pressurized abrasive particles into the high pressure line 60.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high pressure solids pump 100 is connected to the high pressure line 60 by an insertion line 50 and a high pressure union 55. A high pressure valve 45 may be used to monitor the pressure in the insertion line 50. Additionally, a second fluid flush line 40 (high pressure) may be attached to the insertion line 50 to supply fluid to the pressurized abrasive particles exiting the high pressure solids pump 100.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the high pressure solids pump 100. As shown, the high pressure solids pump 100 includes a pump body 120 connected to a piston body 130. The pump body 120 having an inlet 105 and an outlet 110. The inlet 105 of the pump body 120 is in communication with the wet tank 10 to receive abrasive particles into a chamber 125 of the pump body 120. The piston body 130 includes a piston 115 and a piston gland nut 135. The piston 115 is movable in and out of the chamber 125 of the pump body 120. The piston 115 is configured to pressurize the abrasive particles in the chamber 125. The ratio of piston surface areas can be used to achieve high output pressures, without the need for a high-pressure pump to feed the abrasive jet drilling system. The pressurized abrasive particles are then injected to the high pressure line 60 (see FIG. 1) via the outlet 110 of the pump body 120. In one embodiment, the high pressure solids pump 100 is configured to inject abrasive particles in the range of 5,000-10,000 psi.

FIGS. 3A-3D are views illustrating the high pressure solids pump 100. As shown, a portion of the piston 115 is disposed in the chamber 125 of the pump body 120. As also shown, the inlet 105 includes a valve 150 that is configured to allow abrasive particles to enter the chamber 125 via a port 140 and preclude abrasive particles to exit the chamber 125 through the inlet 105. In one embodiment, the valve 150 is a one-way ball valve (see FIG. 3D) that includes a ball 145 that is biased against a seat 155 by a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring. At a predetermined pressure acting on the ball 145, the biasing member is compressed and the ball 145 is urged off of the seat 155, thereby allowing the abrasive particles to enter the chamber 125. Although the valve 150 is illustrated as a one-way ball valve, the valve 150 may be any type of valve without departing from principles of the present invention.

The outlet 110 also includes a valve 175 that is configured to allow pressurized abrasive particles to exit the chamber 125 via the outlet 110 while precluding pressurized abrasive particles to re-enter the chamber 125 through the outlet 110. In one embodiment, the valve 175 is a one-way ball valve that includes a ball 165 that is biased against a seat 170 by a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring. At a predetermined pressure acting on the ball 165 by the pressurized abrasive particles in the chamber 125, the biasing member is compressed and the ball 165 is urged off of the seat 170, thereby allowing the abrasive particles to exit the chamber 125 and enter the high pressure line 60. It should be noted that the predetermined pressure acting on the ball 165 must be at least as great as the pressure of the drilling fluid moving through the high pressure line 60 in order to unseat the ball 165. Although the valve 175 is illustrated as a one-way ball valve, the valve 175 may be any type of valve without departing from principles of the present invention.

The valve 150, 175 is designed to handle high pressure sealing with particle contamination (e.g. steel shot), and the valve 150, 175 is robust enough to handle the wear from the injection of the abrasive particles. For instance, in the embodiment shown, the seats 155, 170 in the ball valves are designed to handle the abrasive particles intrusion into the valve 150, 175 contours by design parameters that will allow proper abrasive particles injection into a high pressure feed stream. Different seat geometries may promote this function. Seats 155, 170 having a narrow profile relative to the shot size are one geometry consideration as well as seat radii that prevent shot particle retention during the open period. Pressure and spring characteristics of the valve 150, 175 are also an important consideration to prevent abrasive particles retention. In one embodiment, a knife edge seat (profile) with small radius would accomplish the function. The seat (and/or the ball) may be made from abrasive resistant material to protect the seat (and/or the ball) from wear. In another embodiment, a more distinctive shot profile is specified to prevent feed or closure issues in the valve 150, 175.

Fluid properties such as abrasive particles to fluid load can be determined to aid in proper flow and valve cleaning. A volume of abrasive particles with a fluid buffer can provide a cleaning solution to abrasive particles retention across the valve seat. This system can be accomplished by simple timing functions in the fluid mixing chamber prior to abrasive particles injection, thereby raising the reliability of the total system.

The high pressure solids pump 100 may be connected to a control device (not shown in FIGS. 3A-D) which controls the operation of the high pressure solids pump 100. The high pressure solids pump 100 could be controlled to inject abrasive particles continuously into the high pressure line 60. Further, the high pressure solids pump 100 could be controlled by a control sequence to inject abrasive particles systematically or at predetermined time periods into the high pressure line 60. For instance, the control sequence could switch the high pressure solids pump 100 on for a first predetermined time period and then switch the high pressure solids pump 100 off for a second predetermined time period. Adjusting the high pressure solids pump 100 rate can increase or decrease the abrasive particles injection rate.

With the introduction of the high pressure solids pump 100 into the abrasive particles injection system 75, the abrasive jet drilling system complexity will be reduced, and total abrasive jet drilling system cost will also be reduced accordingly.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A high pressure solids pump for use in an abrasive particles injection system, the pump comprising: a pump body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet; a first valve connected to the inlet for allowing abrasive particles to enter the chamber; a second valve connected to the outlet for allowing the abrasive particles to exit the chamber; and a piston member movable within the chamber of the pump body, wherein the piston member is configured to pressurize the chamber and force the abrasive particles through the second valve.
 2. The pump of claim 1, wherein the first valve is a one-way valve.
 3. The pump of claim 2, wherein the one-way valve is formed from an abrasive resistant material.
 4. The pump of claim 2, wherein the one-way valve includes a ball member biased against a seat for providing one-way flow.
 5. The pump of claim 4, wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile.
 6. The pump of claim 1, wherein the second valve is a one-way valve.
 7. The pump of claim 6, wherein the one-way valve is formed from an abrasive resistant material.
 8. The pump of claim 6, wherein the one-way valve includes a ball member biased against a seat for providing one-way flow.
 9. The pump of claim 8, wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile.
 10. The pump of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a hydraulic drive, a piston retraction assembly, and a pressurization port for operating the piston member.
 11. A method of injecting abrasive particles into a high pressure line, the method comprising: feeding abrasive particles though an inlet valve and into a chamber of a high pressure solids pump; pressurizing the chamber by moving a piston into the chamber of the high pressure solids pump; and forcing the abrasive particles in the pressurized chamber through an outlet valve connected to the chamber and into the high pressure line.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inlet and outlet valves are one-way valves.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one-way valves comprise an abrasive resistant material.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the one-way valves include a ball member and a seat, and further comprising biasing the ball member against the seat to provide one-way flow.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile.
 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising feeding a fluid through the chamber and the inlet and outlet valves with the abrasive particles.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the abrasive particles comprise steel shot, and further comprising feeding the steel shot through the inlet valve from one or more wet tanks connected to the high pressure solids pump.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising continuously feeding the abrasive particles into the chamber and into the high pressure line.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising adjusting an injection rate of the abrasive particles into the high pressure line.
 20. The method of claim 11, further comprising operating the piston using at least one of a hydraulic drive, a piston retraction assembly, and a pressurization port. 